Frequently Asked Questions about Chiropractic
1. Do I have a pinched nerve?
2. Do I have a slipped disc?
3. What is chiropractic?
4. How does chiropractic work?
5. What type of education do chiropractors get?
6. What do chiropractic doctors do?
7. What is an adjustment?
8. Are all patients adjusted the same way?
9. Is chiropractic care safe?
10. Can I adjust myself?
11. Why do children need chiropractic care?
12. Can I speed the healing process?
13. Am I too old for chiropractic care?
14. How long will I need chiropractic care?
1. Do I have a pinched nerve?
Many patients consult a chiropractic doctor because they think they have a pinched
nerve.
Because of the way your spine is designed, abnormal spinal function caused from
physical trauma, emotional tension, or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues
of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
While commonly associated with the spine, a pinched-nerve (compressive lesion) is
actually rare. Researchers suggest that only 10% to 15% of spine related
problems are caused by direct pressure or bone on nerve tissue! This can result
in numbness, burning, or a "pins and needles" feeling.
More frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion). This is caused when
nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, stretched by a loss of spinal curve, or irritated
by malfunctioning spinal bones.
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2. Do I have a slipped disc?
Technically, a disc can't "slip."
The intervertebral disc is a pad of cartilage material situated between spinal bones.
Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. A soft,
jellylike center is contained by outer layers of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs help
allow for normal turning and bending.
Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below, a disc
cannont "slip." Instead, a trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to tear,
bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, as the soft center
of the disc leaks, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a
dependency on pain pills by choosing chiropractic care for their disc-related health
problems.
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3. What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating,
self-healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain,
spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body.
The skull protects the delicate tissues of the brain. The moving bones of the spine
protect the vulnerable communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
If the nervous system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissues and organs
throughout the body. Doctors call this the Vertebral Subluxation Complex, meaning
the bones of the spine, Subluxation, meaning less than a total dislocation. And
Complex, meaning consisting of more than one part.
Chiropractic is the science of locating malfunctioning spinal structures, the art
of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and the philosophy that, when working
properly, the body has the potential to heal itself.
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4. How does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works by restoring your own inborn ability to be healthy. When under
the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your
body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better
health is to locate and help remove interferences to your natural state of being
healthy.
A common interference to the nervous system are the 24 moving bones of the spinal
column. A loss of normal motion or postion of these bones can irritate or impair
the function of the nervous sytem. This can disrupt the transmission of controlling
nerve impulses.
While improved spinal function, there is often improved nervous system function.
Your chiropractic doctor can help remove interferences that may be impairing normal
health.
Since the primary focus of your care is improved nervous system function, chiropractic
can have a positive effect on many health conditions not normally thought of as
"back" problems.
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5. What type of education do chiropractors get?
Today's Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated.
The science of chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, phisiology,
pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-rays, spinal adjusting techniques, and related
subjects. This demanding curriculum prepares chiropractic doctors to locate the
Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction.
To graduate with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, each candidate passes demanding
National Board Examinations. Then, doctors apply to a governmental or professional
licensing board and pass a still more difficult test before being granted the
privilege to practice.
A chiropractic education never ends. Most doctors complete postgraduate instruction
for license renewal and to stay current on the latest scientific research.
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6. What do chiropractic doctors do?
Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved nervous system function
begins with a case history. This gives the chiropractor a background about your
health, such as surgeries, Today's Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated.
After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, thorough
orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. X-rays may
be taken to uncover structural and functioning problems associated with the spinal
column. These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction and resulting
nervous system deficit.
The findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic
adjustments may be recommended. Progress is monitored with periodical examinations
and follow-up reports.
Since the word "doctor" comes from the Latin word meaning teacher, regardless of
your chiropractic doctor's unique clinical approach, he or she has a strong
commitment to patient education.
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7. What is an adjustment?
A Chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise
direction, applied to a joint that is fixated,"locked up", or not moving properly.
This adds motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more normal
position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to permit
improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health.
There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually the doctor's hands or a specially
designed instrument delivers a brief and highly-accurate thrust. Some adjusting
methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and constant pressure.
After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor becomes
highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches.
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8. Are all patients adjusted the same way?
The doctor evaluates each patient's problem and develops an individual course of
care. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience.
Some patients who complain of headaches, may actually have a lower back problem that
is causing a compensation reaction at the base of the skull. Other patients may be
experiencing numbness and tingling in their fingers, when the actual problem is in
the neck. Every patient presents a uniquely different spinal pattern.
Patients notice that their chiropractor care is delivered with confidence and
precision. Each visit builds on the one before. And while visits may seem similar,
each patient’s care is uniquely different from every other patient.
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9. Is chiropractic care safe?
In the words of the New Zealand government's inquiry, chiropractic care is
"remarkably safe."
Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative
approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.
A thorough case history and examination help reveal areas of the spine that may be
causing nervous system malfunction. This information will be used to determine the
best course of care for each patient.
Chiropractic care is a natural approach to better health that is proven safe and
effective. Please feel free to discuss this matter with your chiropractor.
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10. Can I adjust myself?
Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific
direction, to a specific spinal joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself.
It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a "popping" sound,
like the sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately,
this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already
unstable area of the spine even more unsteady. Adjusting the spine is not for
amateurs!
The best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic is to receive
adjustments from a Doctor of Chiropractic. Even your doctor must seek out the
service of another colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function.
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11. Why do children need chiropractic care?
Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns
checked for the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Later, learning to walk, ride a bicycle, and other childhood activities can cause
spinal problems. While a bandage and some comforting words can help a skinned knee,
the unseen damage to the child’s spine is the unique domain of a chiropractic doctor.
Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as "growing pains" can often
be traced to the spine. Regular chiropractic checkups can identify these problems
and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults.
Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child's spine,
particularly babies'.
Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and
seem healthier than other children.
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12. Can I speed the healing process?
While there aren't any shortcuts to speed your body's natural healing process,
there's a lot you can do to give yourself the best chance of a quick recovery.
Learn proper sitting and lifting methods. Specific exercises may be suggested to
help retrain the muscles that support your spine.
Proper rest is an important aspect of the healing process, too. Get the appropriate
amount of rest your body needs and avoid sleeping on your stomach.
During the healing process, proper nutrition is more important than ever. Make sure
you eat balanced meals, and if you're overweight, now would be a good time to slim
down and reduce unnecessary stresses to your spine.
Perhaps most important of all, keep your appointments and follow your chiropractic
doctor's recommendations for optimum results.
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13. Am I too old for chiropractic care?
More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later
years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining
various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.
Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance,
and appetite.
Many patients report improvements with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments
often associate with the aging process.
The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and
results. As we get older and wiser, the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic
care becomes more and more obvious.
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14. How long will I need chiropractic care?
Spinal problems, neglected since early childhood, may require ongoing supportive
care for optimum spinal function. These long-standing problems are often associated
with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine..
Most patients find that periodic chiropractic checkups help keep them in tip-top
shape. Those who are active, have stressful jobs, or want to be their very best,
find that a schedule of preventative visits are helpful in the maintenance of good
health.
Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes
unbearable. While this style of “crisis management” is usually more costly and
time consuming, chiropractors stand ready to help all patients, regardless of their
health goals.
How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.
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